Despite opposition from business owners, the Tuscaloosa City Council unanimously passed the Tuscaloosa Forward plan on Tuesday night.
Some business owners, citing the plan’s lack of direction, took the podium prior to the council’s vote to voice their opinions to the council.
“This plan is a road map to nowhere, an atlas with no roads,” said John Carney, owner of Express Oil Change. “We know where we want to go, we just don’t know how to get there.”
Tuscaloosa residents and business owners have been told the plan is the only way to get federal funding to help rebuild the city, Carney said.
“We are told this is a plan we have to pass,” he said. “This is a competition with other cities for Federal money. However, Joplin, Missouri, a similar town to our size, isn’t participating.”
Carney said he believes the city government is what is keeping small business owners from being able to rebuild.
“We don’t need a plan, just get out of the way,” he said to the councilmen.
Others supported the plan, saying that it provides a framework on which the city can begin the rebuilding process.
“While I’m no Monday morning quarterback, I do know that the winningest coach in college football never sent his players onto the field without a plan,” said Christine Beech, a Tuscaloosa homeowner. “He never said to his players, ‘Just go out and do what you’ve done before, that’ll be good enough.’ He worked for a better future.”
Beech used the allegory of Paul “Bear” Bryant’s coaching skills as an example to the council of why they should approve the Tuscaloosa Forward plan. According to her, the plan has the potential to make Tuscaloosa a better city than it was before the April 27th tornado.
“We have one chance to do this right,” she said. “If we don’t put aside our fears of uncertainty and get out there and rebuild Tuscaloosa, we will have to trade our traditions.”
The council heard speeches from 11 different speakers, representing every background, from ordinary homeowners to proprietors of small businesses, in a meeting that lasted well over an hour.
Prior to the council’s vote on the Tuscaloosa Forward plan, several councilmen and the mayor expressed their support for the plan and appreciation for the transparency throughout its formation.
“I don’t agree with every single bit of this plan,” said Councilman Lee Garrison. “We don’t know all the intricate details. But you have to lay something out and then just keep working at it.”
Garrison said he expects it will take many more nights of debate and input from residents and business owners to shape and determine the ultimate outcome of the Tuscaloosa Forward plan.
“A plan that creates anxiety is better than no plan at all,” he said. “I don’t agree with every piece of it, but I think it takes us to the next level.”
Just before the council voted on the plan, Mayor Walt Maddox applauded all who had a part in designing the plan.
“Whether you agree or disagree [with the Tuscaloosa Forward plan], there has been hard work by dozens of individuals who literally put their heart and soul into trying to make the city better,” Maddox said.
According to Maddox, most people assume that elected officials think in four-year increments. The Tuscaloosa Forward plan, however, looks much further into the city’s future.
“Tonight, I believe the city council is going to show you that we are going to take the long view,” Maddox said. “We are going to take the generational view. I do believe that it’s absolutely necessary that we start with a vision.”
Maddox wrapped up his speech by thanking all who were involved in every part of designing the Tuscaloosa Froward plan.
“To all those who have participated in this process, thank you,” Maddox said. “Your voices have been heard and will continue to be heard in the days ahead.”
